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Wheeling Heritage will host its second "Handmade Holiday: Spring Market" Saturday in downtown Wheeling.
The event is set to take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the third floor of the Wheeling Artisan Center. There are VIP tickets available at $10 each for those who want to start shopping early and receive a free mimosa. These can be purchased at the door, or through the Wheeling Heritage website at wheelingheritage.org.
Admission is free after 11 a.m.
The market gives shoppers a chance to discover unique gifts made by local entrepreneurs and artisans, just in time for Mother's Day. Inspired by the independent craft fair movement happening throughout the country, the event strives to establish a marketplace of unique and creative handmade goods that supports local artists while increasing awareness about handmade, locally produced craft goods and processes, according to Alex Panas, program manager for Wheeling Heritage.
"We are so happy to offer our Handmade Holiday Spring Market for a second year," she said. "The beauty of events like this is not just the unique and one-of-a-kind creations, but the opportunity to support and uplift our local creatives.
"By choosing to shop local at markets like Handmade Holiday, we are investing in the culture and creativity in our community.
About 40 vendors are expected to attend, and their offerings will include handmade ceramics, art, jewelry and more. New to the festival this year will be the Tacet Coffee Cart.
Wheeling Heritage hosts a similar Handmade Holiday craft fair each year during the Christmas holiday season.
VIP tickets can be purchased online at wheelingheritage.org/handmade-holiday-spring-market/. All attendees will receive a punch card to track their purchases. Those who make purchases from at least five vendors will be entered into a raffle to receive a $50 gift card to the Wheeling Artisan Center.
Panas noted there will be plenty of reason to come to downtown Wheeling on Saturday, as there will be a food truck festival at Heritage Port and Grow Ohio Valley is hosting its annual plant sale across from the Artisan Center.
"In the past, we've had well over 500 shoppers attend Handmade Holiday," she said. "Hopefully with the nice weather, we see a lot of people coming through the door. With the plant sale, food and the food truck festival, it's going to be a great day to be in downtown Wheeling."